Patents Examined by Zixuan Zhou
  • Patent number: 11978869
    Abstract: A battery pack connection system includes a first battery pack, a second battery pack, and a battery receptacle. Each of the first and second battery packs includes a first guide slot, a second guide slot, and an electrical connector slot. The second battery pack has a power capacity and a width greater than the first battery pack. The battery receptacle defines an elongate passage sized and shaped to separately receive each of the first and second battery packs therein. The battery receptacle includes an electrical connector rail, a first guide rail sized and shaped to cooperatively engage the first guide slot of each of the first and second battery packs, and a second guide rail sized and shaped to cooperatively engage the second guide slot of each of the first and second battery packs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: Glen R. Chartier, Seth B. Bullock, Billy Odon M. Yrad, Jr., Alex J. Wall, Tony Le, Scott Kruepke
  • Patent number: 11970076
    Abstract: A method, device, and computer-readable medium for operating an electrical energy store is provided. The electrical energy store includes a storage cell for storing electrical energy and a control unit. State variables of the electrical energy store are detected. The state variables are transmitted to a computation unit outside of the electrical energy store. The electrical energy store is operated based on operating parameters provided by the computation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Christel Sarfert, Christoph Kroener, Jens Becker, Joerg Poehler
  • Patent number: 11967848
    Abstract: A battery system is provided, including a processing module and a plurality of battery modules. Each of the plurality of battery modules includes a battery management system and an electrochemical cell pack controlled by the battery management system. The processing module is configured to control the electrochemical cell pack to alternately perform a discharging or charging operation. A sum of power of battery modules other than a first battery module in the plurality of battery modules is greater than power required by a target power-supplied object, and the first battery module is any one of the plurality of battery modules. A battery management system is configured to record a target time. The processing module or the battery management system is configured to determine a state of health of the electrochemical cell pack in the first battery module based on the target time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: HUAWEI DIGITAL POWER TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Zheng Zhong, Dong Feng, Jianye Zhang
  • Patent number: 11951862
    Abstract: A system for testing an assist function of electric vehicle wireless power transfer includes: a pit, a vehicle-assembly support platform, and an electromagnetic field strength measurement instrument. A ground-assembly support platform is arranged inside the pit, the vehicle-assembly support platform is arranged on an upper side of the ground-assembly support platform, and a to-be-tested member is arranged on an upper side of the ground-assembly support platform. A ground-assembly device coil is arranged on an upper surface of the ground-assembly support platform, a vehicle-assembly device coil is arranged inside the vehicle-assembly support platform, the ground-assembly device coil charges an entire vehicle, and the ground-assembly device coil further cooperates with the vehicle-assembly device coil to charge a vehicle component. A mechanical arm is arranged on ground of a test site, an interference member is arranged on a front end of the mechanical arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: CATARC NEW ENERGY VEHICLE TEST CENTER (TIANJIN) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Baoqiang Zhang, Fang Wang, Zhaohui Wang, Bin Fan, Xin Huang, Jianbo Wang, Yang Li, Yue Xu, Meng Zhang, Xiao Li
  • Patent number: 11949276
    Abstract: A system describing Unlimited Range Drive capabilities of electric vehicles using machine learning techniques, assisted by intelligent battery modules and high voltage continuous variable power plant, the intelligent battery and power plant modules work in harmony and continuously provide feedback to each other, causing a battery to recharge while the other is in use to drive, this charging/recharging process and dynamically switching battery in use is continued until physical life of batteries is exhausted approximately 10 to 15 years, dynamic coordination of modules with dynamic switching of batteries, achieves unlimited range drive capabilities which may exceed 1 million mile drive on a single high voltage battery charge, the system provides clean environment and cost effective solution, this platform can be implemented in larger chassis including, but not limited to light duty trucks and vans up to heavy duty cargo tractor trailer and commercial public transportation buses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Inventors: Mitul M Patel, Michael Andrew Generallo, Luna Yaisi Manuel
  • Patent number: 11932131
    Abstract: It is an object to provide an electric vehicle charging monitoring device and an electric vehicle charging monitoring method. According to an embodiment, a device comprises: a current measurement device configured to measure an electrical current flowing from an electrical input to an electrical output and a computing device electrically coupled to the current measurement device, configured to: monitor a number of charging sessions based on the electrical current flow from the electrical input to the electrical output; compare the number of charging sessions to a first preconfigured value; and detect abnormal current flow based on the charging session comparison. A device, a method, and a computer program product are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Liikennevirta Oy / Virta Ltd
    Inventor: Jussi Ahtikari
  • Patent number: 11926234
    Abstract: A charging system for an electric vehicle disclosed herein may include a charger and a monitoring device. The monitoring device may be configured to output a warning message urging a person to return to a charging area in which the charger is connected to the electric vehicle when detecting the person has left the charging area after the charger started charging the electric vehicle. This charging system may be configured to output the warning message to urge the person to return to the charging area when detecting the person has left the charging area after the charger started charging the electric vehicle. Outputting such a first message may allow the electric vehicle to leave the charging area soon after charging has been completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yoichi Onishi
  • Patent number: 11923718
    Abstract: Our system describes Unlimited Range Drive (URD) capabilities of an electrical automotive vehicle using machine learning technique, assisted by newly designed intelligent battery modules (IBM-R, IBM-D/R) and newly invented high voltage continuous variable power plant (CVPP), our intelligent battery and power plant modules work in harmony and continuously provide feedback to each other, causing a high voltage battery to recharge while other high voltage battery is in use to drive a vehicle, this charging/recharging process and dynamically switching high voltage battery in use is continued until physical life of batteries is exhausted which may be 10 to 15 years, dynamic coordination of the modules with dynamic switching of battery in use archives Unlimited Range Drive (URD) capabilities which may exceed more than 1 million miles drive on a single high voltage battery charge, our URD system provides clean environment and cost effective more than 1 million miles drive solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Inventors: Mitul M Patel, Michael Andrew Generallo, Luna Yaisi Manuel
  • Patent number: 11912163
    Abstract: A vehicle control device includes a voltage information acquisition unit that acquires respective voltage values of a plurality of battery packs, a voltage value comparison unit that compares, when a state of an accelerator pedal of a vehicle is switched from an ON state to an OFF state, a voltage value of an active battery pack that is being used to drive the vehicle with a voltage value of a standby battery pack having a highest voltage value among the battery packs that are not being used to drive the vehicle on a basis of the voltage values acquired by the voltage information acquisition unit, and a selection unit that selects a drive battery pack allowed to perform discharge to drive the vehicle from among the plurality of battery packs on a basis of the comparison by the voltage value comparison unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Daimler Truck AG
    Inventor: Takeshi Shimonagata
  • Patent number: 11916420
    Abstract: A charge level of a sensor battery providing power to a sensor in a vehicle is determined. A charge depletion of the sensor battery is determined based on the charge level. A recharge rate to recharge the sensor battery is determined based on a time elapsed on a previously traveled path, a current charge level, and the charge depletion. Upon activation of the vehicle, one or both of a propulsion or a vehicle battery is actuated to recharge the sensor battery at the recharge rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Donald Paul Bilger, Tarik Safir, John Robert Van Wiemeersch, Zeljko Deljevic, Sam Harris
  • Patent number: 11912165
    Abstract: A method for charging an electric vehicle. A traction battery of an electric vehicle connected to a stationary charging device is charged by the stationary charging device and a heating device of the electric vehicle is operated with electrical energy provided by the charging station, in particular predictively, as well as an electric vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventor: Michael Lenz
  • Patent number: 11916511
    Abstract: A DC bus is connected to a PV array, a battery or both, to power a grid connected inverter load on the bus. A system and method is described for controlling current flow on a DC bus regardless of the type of inverter. A converter receives a DC battery voltage. A switching module controls current flow through the converter. A current generator generates a reference current in response to a reference voltage. A comparator connected at the output of the current generator compares the reference current with a battery current and outputs a signal to a controller. The controller generates a reference value. A PWM generator modulates the switch module to control current flow and energy flow between the DC bus and the battery. The current from the DC bus to the inverter is controlled to allow proper grid-connected operation regardless of inverter type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignees: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, Arrowhead Center, Inc.
    Inventors: Stanley Atcitty, Valerio De Angelis, Satishkumar J. Ranade, Sijo Augustine, Nataraj Pragallapati, Olga Lavrova
  • Patent number: 11909250
    Abstract: A system describing Unlimited Range Drive capabilities of electric vehicles using machine learning techniques, assisted by intelligent battery modules and high voltage continuous variable power plant, the intelligent battery and power plant modules work in harmony and continuously provide feedback to each other, causing a battery to recharge while the other is in use to drive, this charging/recharging process and dynamically switching battery in use is continued until physical life of batteries is exhausted approximately 10 to 15 years, dynamic coordination of modules with dynamic switching of batteries, achieves unlimited range drive capabilities which may exceed 1 million mile drive on a single high voltage battery charge, the system provides clean environment and cost effective solution, this platform can be implemented in larger chassis including, but not limited to light duty trucks and vans up to heavy duty cargo tractor trailer and commercial public transportation buses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Inventors: Mitul M. Patel, Michael Andrew Generallo, Luna Yaisi Manuel
  • Patent number: 11904722
    Abstract: A server includes a processor configured to: acquire a starting time representing a time when a user starts to use a moving object including a rechargeable secondary battery; estimate a charging completion time by which a required amount of power is charged to the moving object; determine whether or not charging of the moving object is completed by the starting time based on the starting time and the charging completion time; and switch a charging mode of charging the moving object performed by a charging device from a usual charging mode to a rapid charging mode in a case where the charging of the moving object is not completed by the starting time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Sugimoto, Kotoru Sato, Kumiko Katsumata, Shun Ota, Takahiro Suzuki
  • Patent number: 11897363
    Abstract: A vehicle driving system includes a drive motor-generator connected to a first battery and a second battery via respective relays, a power receiving unit connected to the first battery and the second battery via respective relays and connected to an external power supply, and a controller. The controller is configured to, when the power receiving unit is connected to the external power supply, cause the first battery to be charged if the state of charge of the first battery is lower than a predetermined SOC and cause the second battery to be charged if the state of charge of the first battery is higher than or equal to the predetermined SOC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Prime Planet Energy & Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Atsushi Sugihara, Shizuka Masuoka, Kodai Nagano
  • Patent number: 11894701
    Abstract: A battery management system may include a plurality of balancing resistors respectively forming balancing discharging paths of cells connected in series to each other, a plurality of balancing switches respectively connected between the cells and the balancing resistors, and configured to control cell-balancing of each of the cells, a voltage-detecting circuit for detecting respective cell voltages of the cells, and a battery controller for acquiring respective balancing capacities of the cells based on the cell voltages, for obtaining duty cycles of the balancing switches according to the balancing capacities, and for scaling the duty cycles of the balancing switches according to a sum of duty cycles of two adjacent cells from among the cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takao Hidaka, Hwa-Su Kim
  • Patent number: 11884172
    Abstract: A battery charging system for a hybrid electric powerplant can be configured to determine a maximum available charging power available from windmilling and/or excess thermal engine power available, and to use up to the maximum available charging power and/or the excess thermal engine power available to charge a battery. In certain embodiments, a control module can be configured to determine the maximum available charging power available from windmilling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Kyle Stephen Ives, Stephen Minshull
  • Patent number: 11884174
    Abstract: A vehicle is provided that includes a battery management system with an energy storage device configured to power the vehicle. The energy storage device includes a battery module with: at least one sensor, a processor, and an optical transceiver. The battery management system also includes a control unit to control the energy storage device, and a control unit optical transceiver configured for bidirectional free-space optical communication with the battery module optical transceiver via a free-space optical communication link. The battery module processor is configured to receive sensor readings and transmit them to the control unit via the free-space optical communication link. Based on the sensor readings, the control unit sends commands to the battery module processor via the free-space optical communication link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Neil T. Moloney, Shohei Nomura
  • Patent number: 11884182
    Abstract: An electric-vehicle battery system includes a high voltage system with a plurality of connected rechargeable battery cells; a low voltage system with an operating voltage lower than an operating voltage of the high voltage system, the low voltage system supplying a battery system manager; and a real time clock configured to provide a system time to the battery system manager. The real time clock may be at least temporarily powered by the high voltage system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Maximilian Hofer, Christoph Schmiedhofer, Thomas Trathnigg, Kurt Duller, Renato Mandic, Damir Kovac
  • Patent number: 11881730
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer-storage media, for wireless charging using time-division multiplexing. In some implementations, a wireless charger is configured to concurrently charge multiple devices by providing power wirelessly to individual devices in different time periods. The wireless charger can perform time-division multiplexing by selectively directing the output of a single driver circuit to different power transfer coil segments at different times. The wireless charging sessions of multiple devices can be maintained by repeating a pattern of activating different power transfer coil segments one by one in successive time periods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Veera Venkata Siva Nagesh Polu, Liang Jia, Srikanth Lakshmikanthan